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Robert O'Brien

SWAT Sergeant (Ret.)

A member of the TREXPO Advisory Board, Sgt. Robert "Bob" O'Brien Cleveland SWAT Ret. is the founder of the R.J. O'Brien Group Ltd., a law enforcement training and consulting service that advises and trains a number of local, state, and federal SWAT teams. O'Brien co-founded Cleveland's full-time SWAT team, and he served with that unit for 25 years. He is a former consultant to the National Tactical Officers Association and a former vice president of the Ohio Tactical Officers Association.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 10, 2011

St. Petersburg After-Action Report (1 of 2)

There were three rapid gun shots, and the Marshal saw the K-9 officer roll off the suspect. The Marshal transitioned to his firearm and was shot twice (lower front vest and groin) and fell back through the attic opening onto the detective and onto the floor. The suspect began to fire rounds from the attic through the ceiling at officers.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 25, 2011

Why High-Risk Encounters Require SWAT

The murders of Florida officers with the Miami-Dade Police Department and St. Petersburg Police Department rocked their communities, as well as all of law enforcement. In both instances, officers entered buildings to search for suspects without calling for backup from tactical units.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 18, 2011

The Danger of the Surrendering Suspect

When we're apprehending a suspect who is surrendering, we're at our most vulnerable. This is precisely what suspects are counting on, and they'll look for an advantage to escape. It's known as fight or flight, and can often be fight and flight.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 10, 2011

We Need to Harden Police Targets

The litany of attacks on police stations is lengthy, having occurred in cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike. For every attack, there are undoubtedly countless more close calls, many we probably don't even know about.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 2, 2011

The Hidden Dangers of Suspect Searches

POLICE SWAT expert and retired LEO Bob O'Brien tells you seven tales from his experiences to teach about the danger of missing a hidden suspect during a search.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 27, 2011

Rethinking Suspect Searches

Both tragedies in Miami and St. Petersburg will be very thoroughly investigated and micro-analyzed. In time, there will be detailed debriefs that will answer these questions, and provide valuable lessons to prevent this from ever happening again.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 24, 2011

What NFL Coach Vince Lombardi Can Teach LE About Searches

What so many deadly confrontations have in common is they all involve suspect searches. All the officers involved in the preceding incidents were experienced, well trained, armed and equipped.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 7, 2011

Are Tunnel Rats Born or Made?

Tunnel rats during the Vietnam War invented and perfected the most effective tunnel tactics and techniques. In law enforcement, you need the right person with the right mindset, training, equipment, weaponry, and lots of experience to be effective.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•December 23, 2010

Getting Through the Holidays

Amidst the craziness of midnight callouts for family gatherings gone wrong, take a minute this holiday season to reflect on what you have and the good that you do.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•December 22, 2010

Confined Spaces and Tunnel Rats

It takes a special officer to willingly, capably, and effectively search confined spaces for suspects. During the Vietnam War, "tunnel rats" were employed to search the often elaborate, always extremely hazardous NVA/VC tunnel systems.